November 22, 2016

Dr M chants ‘Bebas Maria’ at vigil for Bersih chief

>Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad continued his support for Bersih 2.0 tonight by attending a candlelight vigil for the polls watchdog’s chairman Maria Chin Abdullah who is currently detained under the Special Offences (Security Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).

In a report by Malaysiakini, the former prime minister who came with wife Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali had even chanted “Bebas Maria” (“Free Maria” in Malay) together with hundreds of supporters who came to the capital’s Dataran Merdeka.

The veteran statesman was also quoted decrying the alleged torture against Maria during her preventive detention, and the arrest of several Bersih activists prior and after the Bersih 5 rally on Saturday.

Dr Mahathir also shared the spotlight with activist Hishamuddin Rais, who was arrested during the rally.

Earlier today, Bersih 2.0 had called on Malaysians to join its candlelight vigil which will be held every night until Maria is release.

The group said the vigil will be held at 8pm nightly at Dataran Merdeka, as part of its campaign to call for Maria’s release and abolition of Sosma.

Maria was detained on Friday under Section 124C of the Penal Code that prohibits the attempt to commit activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.

Her lawyer Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan was previously reported saying that the team will go through all means to secure Maria’s release, including filing for habeas corpus.